The Scientology Religion Blog

What is Scientology’s System of Ethics?

2011-12-13T16:59:00.003-05:00

The Scientology system of ethics is based wholly on reason (Scientology.org).

L. Ron Hubbard defined ethics as “reason and the contemplation of optimum survival.” He has also pointed out: “Dishonest conduct is non-survival. Anything is unreasonable or evil which brings about the destruction of individuals, groups, or inhibits the future of the race.”

Ethics may be further defined as “the actions an individual takes on himself to ensure his continued survival across the dynamics.” It is a personal thing. When one is ethical, it is something one does oneself by choice.

The Scientology ethics system includes a body of technology called Conditions Formulas. L. Ron Hubbard discovered that there are various states of existence and that there are exact formulas connected with these states. A person can determine what condition any area of his life is in and apply a formula to immediately improve that condition. While very simple, such actions are quite powerful and have enabled millions of individuals to improve their lives in ways never thought possible.

Another part of Scientology’s ethics system is a type of auditing known as a Confessional. Man has long postulated a means by which he could put himself on the right path. As long ago as 500 b.c., religions recognized that confession frees a person spiritually from the burden of sin. In Scientology, it has been found that a Confessional assists the person who has transgressed against their own and their group’s moral code to unburden themselves and again feel good about themselves and be a contributing member of the group.

As L. Ron Hubbard has written:

“No man who is not himself honest can be free—he is his own trap. When his own deeds cannot be disclosed then he is a prisoner; he must withhold himself from his fellows and is a slave to his own conscience.”

These are but two of the tools from the wealth of Ethics Technology that exists in Scientology.

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion}

L. Ron Hubbard--Biography

2010-08-26T21:40:00.003-04:00

I love the video of L. Ron Hubbard's biography on the L. Ron Hubbard website.

It's incredible reading his books and listening to his lectures, and learning more about his life just adds to the experience.

^{The primary step in resolving the broad activities of man could be considered to be the resolving of the activities of the mind itself.— L. Ron Hubbard} (Founder of Scientology and Dianetics)-- Scientology 0-8

What is the Spirit?

2010-08-23T16:50:00.000-04:00

What is the Spirit?

The Church of Scientology Mission of San Francisco at 2501 Judah Streetsays:

"The only major religion to emerge in the 20th century. The Church of Scientology is an applied religious philosophy in that you are not told what to believe, but given tools that help you in every aspect of life.

Family, work, relationships, communication, no matter what you need help with, something can be done about it.

"The goal of Scientology is a world without war, without crime, where the able can prosper and honest people have rights. One 'belief' in Scientology is 'What is true is what you have observed yourself'.

"One other idea in Scientology is that you are an immortal spiritual being . Your capabilities are far in advance of what many would want you to believe.

There are millions of members and millions of success stories of how Scientology has helped people improve their lives.

"I have found 100% of the individuals I have talked to that insult Scientology have not read a single book on Scientology and very few of them even walked into a church or talked to a Scientologist without first insulting them.

The Scientology religion was founded by L. Ron Hubbard. The best way to learn about it is by reading one or more of L. Ron Hubbard's books.

"Anyway, go to scientology.org, or any Church of Scientology. Find out for yourself!"

L. Ron Hubbard - Artist

TipsForSuccess: TipsForSuccess: Do You Ever Avoid Work?

2010-08-23T14:44:00.000-04:00

TipsForSuccess: TipsForSuccess: Do You Ever Avoid Work?: "'The person who studiously avoids work usually works far longer and far harder than the man who pleasantly confronts it and does it.' -- L. Ron Hubbard from The Problems of Work"

The Problems of Work is now available as a book on film through Bridge Publications.

^{"Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe."} L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology Religion.

An Introduction to Scientology (DVD) - Dianetics & Scientology :: Bridge Publications, Inc.

2010-08-19T00:14:00.001-04:00

An Introduction to Scientology (DVD)

^{A few years ago, David Miscavige released the newly restored film--An Introduction to Scientology--a filmed interview of L. Ron Hubbard. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to learn more about L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology or Dianetics.}

Self Analysis - Dianetics & Scientology :: Bridge Publications, Inc.

2010-08-19T00:06:00.000-04:00

Self Analysis

One of my all-time favorite books of L. Ron Hubbard is Self Analysis. First of all, it's got one of the best descriptions of
Dianetics and Scientology anywhere. Then it lets you analyze yourself against a chart of human evaluation and plot your own emotional tone level. After that, you do the self-processing section where you look over your life, especially the earliest moments you can find, and learn so much about yourself while answering the questions.

I remember what I used the book with my sister who isn't a Scientologist. After about an hour or looking for answers to these questions and telling me what she found she suddenly realized that this whole area of her life that she'd thought was a dark and unhappy period was actually full or wonderful experiences which she'd totally forgotten about. And she felt much more relaxed and buoyant at the end of it.

I used it with my mom too, and learned more about her in an hour than I'd known about her in 40 years. And she had a ball at the age of 78 remember things from when she was 3, 4 and 5 years old.

When he released the Basics Books and Lectures of L. Ron Hubbard, David Miscavige said that this is the book Ron referred to more often in his lectures and other research than any other book he'd written.

You can get the book online at the Bridge Publications website.

A good, stable adult with love and tolerance in his heart is about the best therapy a child can have.~~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion

Official Church of Scientology: L. Ron Hubbard, Video Biography, Dianetics & Religious Books

2010-08-17T13:13:00.000-04:00

Official Church of Scientology: L. Ron Hubbard

“For nearly a quarter of a century, I have been engaged in the investigation of the fundamentals of life, the material universe and human behavior. Such an adventure leads one down many highways, through many byroads, into many back alleys of uncertainty, through many strata of life…” - L. Ron Hubbard

L. Ron Hubbard directed the rise of Scientology Churches all over the world and thus, the birth of a worldwide religion. It is a practical religion. It is applicable to every aspect of human existence and it is religion for the here and now. But at its core and within every Church of Scientology lies this enduring invitation from its Founder: “We are extending to you the precious gift of freedom and immortality—factually, honestly.”

L. Ron Hubbard - Artist

Harlem Scientologists

2010-08-16T01:16:00.002-04:00

The Scientology site has a list of upcoming locations where new Ideal Scientology Churches will be opened in the near future.

The program was launched by Mr. David Miscavige in 2003, and the number of new orgs opening has greatly accelerated this year.

The list is:

UNITED STATES

Albuquerque, New Mexico
Atlanta, Georgia
Battle Creek, Michigan
Boston, Massachusetts
Chicago, Illinois
Cincinnati, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Detroit, Michigan
Harlem, New York
Inglewood, California
Kansas City, Missouri
New Haven, Connecticut
Orange County, California
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Portland, Oregon
Sacramento, California
San Diego, California
San Fernando Valley, California
St. Louis, Missouri
Twin Cities, Minnesota

CANADA

Toronto, Ontario
Montreal, Quebec

LATIN AMERICA

Bogotá, Colombia
Caracas, Venezuela
Valencia, Venezuela
Las Lomas, Mexico

EUROPE

Budapest, Hungary
Copenhagen, Denmark
Milan, Italy
Padova, Italy
Pordenone, Italy
Torino, Italy
Verona, Italy

UNITED KINGDOM

Birmingham
Manchester
Sunderland

MIDDLE EAST

Tel Aviv, Israel

AFRICA

Cape Town, South Africa
Durban, South Africa
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Pretoria, South Africa
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Harare, Zimbabwe

AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND/ASIA

Auckland, New Zealand
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Melbourne, Australia

A 21ST CENTURY RELIGION IN THE AGE OF MULTIMEDIA

2010-08-13T00:29:00.002-04:00

New video on Golden Era Productions shows what it's like at the international dissemination base of the Church of Scientology.

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion}

Golden Era Production

2010-08-02T00:28:00.002-04:00

I love the new video on Golden Era Productions. Very inspirational. What an amazing place to work.

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion}

David Miscavige at the Helm of the Scientology Religion

2010-07-31T12:46:00.002-04:00

There is a good description of what is an Ideal Scientology Church and why all Scientology Churches are striving to accomplish that status. This is in the new Scientology Newsroom.

To meet the skyrocketing demand for Dianetics and Scientology services and social betterment programs throughout the world, and utilizing the technological advances of the 21st century, Mr. Miscavige launched the Ideal Org (short for “organization”) strategy to transform all Scientology Churches into Ideal Churches and accomplish the goal L. Ron Hubbard set for Scientologists—to one day create Churches that were the physical embodiment of Scientology technology to help all beings attain spiritual freedom.

Getting his life back: Haiti quake survivor who got prosthetic leg in New Haven is following new career path

2010-06-28T12:56:00.004-04:00

By Amanda Pinto, Register Staff
apinto@newhavenregister.com

NEW HAVEN — Five months ago, Ralph Gedeon was lying trapped beneath a pile of rubble when the engineering college he attended in Port-au-Prince toppled in the 7.0 earthquake that hit the island nation.

His leg was crushed and several organs were failing when his father, after digging for a day and a half, rescued Gedeon from the tumbled remnants.

Miraculously, on Sunday, the earthquake survivor stood on two legs — one of them a prosthetic — and packed his bags as he prepared to leave the Sister Ann Virginie Grimes Rehabilitation Center on Chapel Street.

Gedeon’s progress is a miracle, and seeing him walk brings tears to the eyes of Dr. David Gibson, an orthopedic surgeon who teaches at the Yale School of Medicine and is affiliated with the Hospital of Saint Raphael.

“This is what you do it for,” he said. “It is really heartening to see him walk.”

But for Gedeon, who will now begin outpatient treatment in Rockland, N.Y., walking is only a part of his positive journey.

When he eventually returns to his home country, he will have a permanent prosthesis that will even allow him to play soccer, and he’ll have an engineering degree that will enable him to help others injured in the earthquake, said Ayal Lindeman, the emergency medical technician, nurse and Scientology volunteer minister who was on a mission in Haiti when he met Gedeon, 22.

Gedeon will also take classes at Rockland Community College, and will likely receive a scholarship from the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading to continue studies in engineering, Lindeman said. He will switch his concentration from electrical to mechanical engineering so he can focus on creating and improving orthotics and prosthetics to help Haiti’s thousands of amputees, Lindeman said.

Gedeon has come quite a long way for a man who contemplated accepting death rather than enduring an amputation that could have left him shunned in Haiti, where amputees are degraded, Lindeman said.

After Gedeon was rescued, his father, Raphael Gedeon, told Lindeman ‘I love my son, but I cannot condemn him to this life.’ At that moment, Lindeman thought of the motto on the back of his mission jacket, ‘Something can be done;’ he called his friend Gibson and promised Ralph Gedeon a leg and a life.

Now Gedeon has had nine surgeries, his care has been provided at no cost by St. Raphael’s and a prosthetic donated by a manufacturer. He has been tutored, free of charge, in English.

He used a cane to walk from the rehabilitation center Sunday, but routinely lifted it as he waved and joked with the small crowd of well-wishers who gathered to see him off.

Of his ability to walk, Gedeon smiles and simply says, “We’re progressing.” “(I thought I would walk) because Ayal promised me, and second, I’ve seen people walking (on prosthetics) in the movies,” he said.

He said his leg, which is still healing, is a bit uncomfortable, but he was full of smiles and hugs for the group—which included Marie and Marc Roseme, housekeepers in the facility who are originally from Haiti— who bid him an emotional goodbye.

His father, who arrived in the U.S. Friday, said through a translator Sunday that he was at a loss for words for what his son has accomplished, and for the generosity bestowed upon him.

“I don’t have an expression that would fit,” he said. “Just thank you, thank you, thank you.”

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion}

Scientology Volunteer Minister “Gave Me My Life” Says Haitian Earthquake Survivor

2010-06-24T20:51:00.002-04:00

A good-looking young man in a t-shirt and sweat shorts walked down the street about half a mile from Yale University this weekend. Two things distinguished him from the thousands of other students living in this college town—the gentle Creole lilt to his voice and a prosthetic leg. Meet Ralph Mary Gedeon, 22, a Haitian engineering student who was buried alive when his school collapsed from the Haiti earthquake January 12, 2010.

It took more than one miracle to save Ralph Gedeon’s life that day. In fact it took several miracles that came in the persons of his father, Raphael Gedeon and a Scientology Volunteer Minister from Rockland County, New York.>>

What follows is an interesting story on how this Scientology program operated in Haiti and the difference it made to at least one man's life.

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion}

What Time is It?

2010-06-21T13:01:00.003-04:00

Do you ever get confused about what time it is? Ever wish you had more time? Ever start the day with an idea of what you wanted to accomplish and find the day is over and you didn't get there?

There is a Scientology book called Self Analysis by L. Ron Hubbard that has really simple exercises you can do to improve your time sense.

Anybody want more time?

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion}

New Scientology Churches Revive Historic Buildings

2010-06-16T13:50:00.000-04:00

_{Foyer inside the Church of Scientology on Victoria Street, London.}

When the new Church of Scientology of Pasadena opens its doors in the city’s historical core this summer, it will not only enable the Church to expand its service to the community, it will give back some of its cultural history. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the character of what was once a turn-of-the-century bicycle factory has been transformed into a unique blend of old and new, its four-story atrium and original façade still intact. With attention also given to 21st century detail, the restored building will also be LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

The Church of Scientology International has been working for the past six years on a program to acquire new buildings for its regional Churches around the world. Launched in 2004 by Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige, the aim of the program is to establish each Church in premises ideally suited for its many and varied religious services as well as its community outreach activities. So far, 19 such ideal Churches have opened, eight of them in unique historic buildings, with more on the horizon.

_{The Brussels branch of the Churches of Scientology for the European Communities situation at Boulevard de Waterloo 100-103, is an early-20th-century structure fully renovated to serve the congregation and the community. It was dedicated 23 January 2010.}

“These Churches have already been in their cities for many years and their buildings need to be large enough to accommodate all their activities including a chapel, rooms for the study of our theology and introductory courses for new people and individual spiritual counseling rooms,” said Church of Scientology International spokesman, Tommy Davis.

Far from a Sunday-only meeting place, Churches of Scientology hum with activity seven days a week. In addition to common congregational services such as weddings, funerals, naming ceremonies for newborn children and Sunday service, parishioners can study days and evenings as well as receive the religion’s unique form of one-on-one religious counseling, participate in the Scientology Purification Program (a precise and closely supervised religious regimen that addresses barriers to spiritual gain) and take part in community betterment planning and activities, sponsored and initiated by the Church.

In May the Nashville, Tennessee Church of Scientology historic building took top honors in the city’s 35th Annual Preservation Awards for meeting all safety standards while preserving the beauty and grace of the 1898 building, which opened last year. Built just two years after the famous Grand Ole Opry in a similar style, its features include red brick walls, original doors and hardwood floors, 14-foot ceilings and an unusual three-floor atrium crowned with a glass cupola.

Last January, the Church opened the Belgium branch of the Churches of Scientology of Europe, an 88,000 square-foot early 20th century historic structure in the heart of Brussels. In October 2009, the Founding Church of Scientology in Washington, DC completed renovation of its seven-story, 49,000-square-foot historic building by architect Appleton P. Clark, Jr., half a mile from the White House. And another historic Church property fully restored in 2009 is the 1926 Mediterranean Revival-style Fort Harrison building in Clearwater, Florida.

_{The first floor hallway of the Brussels branch of the Churches of Scientology for Europe with study rooms, offices and the a Documentation Center which holds the written and recorded works of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard.}

Other cities with historic buildings now home to Scientology Churches include: San Francisco, California; London, England; Tampa, Florida; and Buffalo, New York. The Church has also acquired historic buildings that are in pre-construction stages in Detroit, Michigan; Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Oregon; Montreal, Canada; and Manchester, England.

“We take a lot of pride and care in adapting and rehabilitating our historic buildings,” said Davis. “The result is truly unique as these new Churches exemplify our religion and are dynamically practical and aesthetic, and enable us to practice the full range of Scientology services as laid out by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard.”

Scientology Russia Goodwill Tour Completes 19,000-Mile, Four-Year Trans-Siberian Journey

2010-04-30T19:49:00.001-04:00

Scientology Volunteer Ministers from Russia complete journey across 10 time zones helping thousands along the length of the Trans-Siberian Railway

A team of Scientology Volunteer Ministers from Russia have completed a 19,000-mile journey across 10 time zones—a journey that began in Moscow four years ago. Since August 2006 these volunteers have traveled the length of the Trans-Siberian Railway giving lectures, seminars and courses to some 8,000 individuals on communication skills, study technology, conflict resolution, salvaging marriages, raising happy children and 14 other subjects contained in the Scientology Handbook. In each location they trained Volunteer Ministers and established groups to continue to help their communities.

On August 1, 2006, a 20-member Scientology Volunteer Ministers team boarded the Trans-Siberian Railroad at the first station on the line—the Yaroslavsky station in Moscow—and began a trek across 5,800 miles and 10 time zones to the Pacific Ocean seaport of Vladivostok. In the summer months they set up their signature yellow tent—a 3,400-square-foot pavilion with lecture rooms, classrooms, and a display describing the Volunteer Ministers program. In winter months, when temperatures never rose above zero for months on end, they provided their services in rented halls.

Trans-Siberian Goodwill Tour leader Sergey Nikitin said, “We are here to provide effective help—that is our purpose. Our motto is ‘Something can be done about it,’ and that means not only in times of major disasters and emergencies but in everyday life.”

The Volunteer Ministers delivered lectures and seminars and provided classes and one-on-one help in Perm, Ekaterinburg, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Zheleznogorsk, Ulan-Ude, Chita, Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok, in hospitals, orphanages, government offices, fire station, invalid centers, veteran associations, businesses, clubs or women’s groups.

To ensure the courses and assistance would continue to be available with neighbor helping neighbor, in each city the Volunteer Ministers trained local residents as Volunteer Ministers and helped them establish groups to sustain the assistance after the tour moved on.

Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard created the Volunteer Minister program in answer to escalating crime and violence in the later 1960s and early 1970s, to provide practical tools for engendering understanding and compassion. The program has expanded to 203,000 Volunteer Ministers worldwide who have served at 185 disaster sites, including Ground Zero after 9/11, the Southeast Asia tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and Haiti.
For more information on the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, visit their website at www.volunteerministers.org.

KCAL 9---Inside the Church of Scientology

2010-04-27T22:29:00.001-04:00

KCAL 9 visits the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles’ newly redesigned 64,571-square-foot property at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and L. Ron Hubbard Way.

Sharon Tay of the KCAL news team introduces the piece, saying: “The Church of Scientology is opening up tonight. There’s a newly rebuilt Church center in Hollywood where Scientology was founded and KCAL’s Dave Malkoff was invited to look around and ask questions.”

To watch the story, click here.

Scientology Los Angeles--a whole new era began on Saturday April 24th

2010-04-26T13:42:00.005-04:00

Saturday was a 20 on a scale of 1 to 10. That was the grand opening of the newly renovated Church of Scientology of Los Angeles.

The event was spectacular. The speeches were so inspiring especially hearing David Miscavige describe that we are going to be opening new Ideal Scientology churches like this all the time, and I can believe it! Look how many we've opened just this year! Rome, Quebec, Brussels, Las Vegas and now Los Angeles!

The building is... well anything I would say to describe it would be less than what it is, and you have to go see it to appreciate it. And now is the best time to come and check it out since there are open houses and tours.

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion}

Scientology-sponsored Youth Group Brings Truth about Drugs to Los Angeles Thai New Year Festival

2010-04-13T20:56:00.000-04:00

LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles chapter of the Drug-Free Marshals, sponsored by the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles, joined the festivities of the Songkran Festival, the celebration of Thai New Year, getting kids to pledge to live drug-free lives.

Located just blocks from the heart of Thai Town, the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles joined this year’s Songkran Festival, the celebration of Thai New Year, by helping neighborhood children avoid the tragedy of drug abuse. Scientology volunteers distributed copies of The Truth About Drugs drug-education booklets and “swore in children” as Drug-Free Marshals, a program that encourages youth to pledge to live drug-free lives and help their friends and family do the same.

Thai New Year, celebrated each year in April, is a time of renewal, marked by lighthearted fun and enthusiasm. Several blocks of Hollywood Boulevard were closed to traffic and filled with hundreds of booths, offering a variety of Thai products including food and beverages, clothing and gifts. There were also booths from community programs including the Drug-Free Marshals.

“Every 12 seconds another school-age child experiments with illicit drugs for the first time,” said Noelle North, Outreach Program Coordinator for the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles. “Our aim with the Drug-Free Marshals is to reach children with the truth about drugs before they succumb to peer pressure or pro-drug false propaganda.”

The Drug-Free Marshals program was founded by the Church of Scientology International in Los Angeles 17 years ago. The non-denominational program has been adopted by individuals and organizations throughout the United States and in many other countries as well.

For more information on drug education and prevention programs of the Church of Scientology, visit www.scientology.org.

What is the Concept of God in Scientology?

2010-04-09T17:08:00.001-04:00

In his book Science of Survival, L. Ron Hubbard wrote: “No culture in the history of the world, save the thoroughly depraved and expiring ones, has failed to affirm the existence of a Supreme Being. It is an empirical observation that men without a strong and lasting faith in a Supreme Being are less capable, less ethical and less valuable to themselves and society....A man without an abiding faith is, by observation alone, more of a thing than a man.”

Scientology seeks to bring one to a new level of spiritual awareness where he can reach his own conclusions concerning the nature of God and what lies in store for him after his present lifetime. Thus, like many Eastern religions, salvation in Scientology is attained through personal spiritual growth and enlightenment.

As one’s level of spiritual awareness increases through participation in auditing and training, he attains his own certainty of every dynamic and, as he moves from the Seventh (Spiritual) Dynamic to the Eighth, will come to his own conclusions concerning the nature of God (or the Supreme Being or infinity) and his relationship to that dynamic.

In Scientology, the concept of God is expressed as the Eighth Dynamic—the urge toward existence as infinity, as God or the Supreme Being. As the Eighth Dynamic, the Scientology concept of God rests at the very apex of universal survival.

Source: Scientology.org

Restoration of Lost Scientology Materials Complete

2010-01-11T19:19:00.003-05:00

I was surprised and pleased to see an AP wire in the NY Times on Friday that had it pretty right about the completion of the Golden Age of Knowledge -- the complete restoration of Scientology materials announced at the Scientology New Years event by Mr. David Miscavige.

What was completed is called the Advanced Clinical Courses and consists of more than a thousand lectures delivered by L. Ron Hubbard between 1953 and 1962.

I listened to the first lecture in the first American ACC last night and it was a total delight.

Here's a link to a site that described the ACCs

Scientology Churches Spearhead Human Rights through Education

2009-12-29T00:04:00.000-05:00

Scientology Churches on six continents called attention to human rights issues on Human Rights Day, with dozens of events including rallies, human rights walks, round tables, concerts and petition drives. To raise awareness of human rights and bring about much needed reforms, Scientologists are calling for human rights education in all schools as the first prerequisite to guarantee human rights internationally.

Human Rights Day is the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the UN General Assembly in 1948. The document was drafted by a committee of scholars and humanitarians chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt to prevent a repeat of the atrocities of World War II. The Preamble to the Declaration proclaimed the UDHR “as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations,” and stated that “every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms.”

Now 61 years later, human rights education is not part of most schools’ curriculums, and human rights violations rival those of the past. According to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, there are an estimated 27 million enslaved today. Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro reported that an estimated 2 million or more women are trafficked across borders every year.

“Education is vital to guarantee human rights,” said Tracie Morrow, Youth Coordinator for the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International. “L. Ron Hubbard said, ‘human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream,’ and ensuring the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is broadly understood is a vital first step.”

To raise awareness of the UDHR, Scientology volunteers in Munich, Germany helped produce an event featuring educational video presentations on the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration, accompanied by musical performances, and speeches by young activists on the impact of human rights violations on their own and others’ lives. In Sweden, Scientologists set up a booth on a walking street in the seaport city of Malmö where they collected hundreds of signatures on their petition calling for human rights education. In Florida, Scientologists participated in a walk for human rights and a human rights poetry workshop.

In Russia, the Church of Scientology in partnership with Youth for Human Rights and the Moscow chapter of the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights held a Human Rights Day celebration at the Central House of Journalists in Moscow. More than a hundred human rights advocates, including representatives of a wide variety of religious groups, the country’s Human Rights Committee, the Moscow Police Department and a former ombudsman of the Russian Federation participated and coordinated their activities for the coming year.

Dozens of other events and petition drives were held across the United States and in Canada, Europe, India, Japan, South Africa and Kenya.

For more information on the human rights initiative of the Church of Scientology, visit the Scientology site at www.scientology.org.

Scientology Churches Celebrate Children’s Rights on 20th Anniversary of International Children’s Day

2009-11-21T20:42:00.001-05:00

Scientologists work to guarantee human rights for all children

Scientology Churches and their members, from Australia to Zimbabwe and Canada to the Ukraine celebrate the rights of children by demanding action by private citizens and governments on International Children’s Day. Twenty years ago the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child, yet millions of children still die each year from preventable causes.

Scientologists ask:

· If the Convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees freedom from want, why do almost 16,000 children die of malnutrition—one child every five seconds?

· If children have the right to life, why did nearly 10 million children die in 2006 before they reached their fifth birthday?

· Why did an estimated 2 million children lose at least one parent to AIDS in southern Africa in 2003, a number expected to rise to 18 million in the year 2010?

· Why have an estimated 20 million children been forced to flee their homes because of conflict and human rights violations?

· How could 10,000 children be killed or maimed last year by landmines? Why have more than 2 million children died and 6 million been permanently disabled or seriously injured through armed conflicts?

· How come 300,000 boys and girls under the age of 18 have been pressed into service as child soldiers?

· And why do one million children suffer from sexual exploitation every year?

Churches of Scientology believe the answer lies with each of us, that only when people know their rights and freedoms will they insist on their enforcement, not only for themselves but for others.

That is why Scientology Churches partner with Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) and United for Human Rights (UHR) in distributing the documentary The Story of Human Rights.

Released in June 2009 The Story of Human Rights is an educational tour de force, making the subject of human rights, its history and ramifications understandable to a very broad audience, used to getting their information as entertainment in this multimedia age. The film lays the responsibility for implementing human rights where it belongs—with each one of us, to fight for our own rights and the rights of others.

The Story of Human Rights explains that although the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, “…it did not have the force of law. It was optional. And despite many more documents, conventions, treaties and laws, it is still little more than words on a page.”

The film ends with a hard-hitting appeal to the individual: “Those who fight today against torture, poverty and discrimination are not giants or superheroes. They are people—kids, mothers, fathers, teachers—free-thinking individuals who refuse to be silent, who realize that human rights are not a history lesson, they’re not words on a page, they’re not speeches or commercials or PR campaigns. They are the choices we make every day as human beings. They are the responsibility we all share, to respect each other, to help each other and to protect those in need.”

Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard once wrote, “Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.” Understanding human rights is the first step in bringing this about.

To sign a petition to mandate human rights education in schools in your country or to watch The Story of Human Rightsonline, visit www.humanrights.com. To learn more about the human rights education initiative of the Church of Scientology, visit the Scientology site.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers Help Philippines Recover from Crushing Typhoon Season

2009-11-18T14:42:00.001-05:00

Scientology Volunteer Ministers bring spiritual first-aid to Filipinos devastated by this year’s typhoons that left tens of thousands homeless.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers from the Church of Scientology Mission of Manila responded with help throughout this year’s devastating typhoon season. Four deadly typhoons in a two-month period, the last hitting only last week, have caused damage to the sum of nearly 40 billion Philippine pesos (almost $900 million U.S. dollars), killed 961 and left tens of thousands stranded or living in shelters.

As soon as the first typhoon hit in late September, the staff and parishioners of the Mission of Manila donned their yellow shirts and moved out into the streets and shelters to bring spiritual first-aid in the form of Scientology Assists to those in need. Scientology Assists are techniques developed by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard that address the emotional and spiritual factors in stress, trauma, illness and injury.

Philippines President Gloria Arroyo declared a “state of calamity.” The need for effective, fast disaster relief was immediate and immense. To answer these needs the Scientology Volunteer Ministers not only helped on a one-on-one basis, they also trained other volunteers and those stranded in shelters in simple techniques covered in the Scientology Handbook that enable people to overcome seemingly insurmountable barriers and get on with their lives.

“Scientology Assists are very easy to learn,” said Ms. Maria Rehyer, Scientology Volunteer Ministers Disaster Response Director. “In half an hour a person can learn enough to help family and friends recover from trauma, shock or injury.” Ms. Rehyer encourages anyone wishing to join the ranks of the 203,000 Scientology Volunteer Ministers to visit http://www.volunteerministers.org/#/courses, where they can enroll on free online courses to learn these techniques.

For more information e-mail the Scientology Volunteer Ministers Disaster Response Director at vm@volunteerministers.org or visit the Scientology Volunteer Ministers web site at www.volunteerministers.org.

Freedom on Global Illiteracy

2009-11-04T14:43:00.001-05:00

Spotlight on Global Illiteracy

Humanitarian Leadership
Artists Making a Difference

The Last Samurai star and producer Tom Cruise helped open Applied Scholastics International's new global headquarters in Spanish Lake, Missouri (above) and is the chief sponsor of a lower Manhattan detoxification program, based on L. Ron Hubbard's discoveries, that is helping to rid New York fire and rescue vets of debilitating post-9/11 toxins. (See photo below.)

Actresses Catherine Bell, Juliette Lewis, Anne Archer and Jenna Elfman (left to right above) have spoken out at major national forums on behalf of human rights and religious freedom for people of all creeds, colors and cultures. Bell and Archer have taken their protests of religious persecution in Europe before the U.S. House of Representatives; Lewis has marched with mothers, families and educators from across the country against psychiatric drugging of schoolchildren; and Elfman has advanced arts and education programs for inner-city youth throughout America (far right, with singer Isaac Hayes, Anne Archer and U.S. Congressman William Lacy Clay at the Applied Scholastics International headquarters grand opening).

Of primary concern, says Rev. Watson, are the widespread challenges in the nation's education system and the magnitude of social action needed to turn the rising illiteracy rates around. The tale is told in these grim facts: students in America are dropping out of school at a rate of 25 to 60 percent. Combine this with more than 90 million American adults functionally illiterate, and “it is long past the time where any of us can ignore it,” she said.

“As a society we can no longer afford to depend on the existing 'solutions,' or leave it to our governments to solve these issues, they are concerns that affect all of us,” she said.

She said Scientologist celebrities and friends in a wide range of professional fields have responded to this urgency and have been working together for decades to establish literacy programs that use Mr. Hubbard's discoveries to help people overcome any and all barriers to learning:

“Today, through the combined efforts of many individuals, our literacy programs are bringing that help to 54 nations,” Rev. Watson explains. “We're working at the grassroots level to provide an actual technology that teaches one how to study and so allows one to be educated in any subject.

“You'll find these programs in the inner cities through mentoring programs operating under the banner of the 'World Literacy Crusade' and in tutoring programs right down the street on Hollywood Boulevard, where supposedly 'lost' and 'hopeless' children and adults have not only learned to read, but are now teaching others to do so as well.”

That program, the Hollywood Education and Literacy Project (H.E.L.P.), has grown to 26 centers in 21 cities across four countries. Spearheaded by Celebrity Centre parishioners, H.E.L.P. was established through a partnership with several social agencies that studied the measurable results of Mr. Hubbard's learning methods.

Honored Guests Applaud Good Works

And it was those tracking these results who applaud the real “doers” in society.

Six-term U.S. House member, Xavier Becerra (R-CA) praised the contributions of Scientologists, stating, “As a representative of the people, my job is made infinitely easier when the people are involved, and they take action, an active role in making a difference. That's how the system works best. I applaud you, your efforts and your undying commitment to protect the rights of those who cannot fight for themselves. Thank you and keep the flame of freedom burning brightly.”

Former NAACP regional executive director and executive producer of the NAACP's Image Awards, Ernestine Peters, is one who does not take education for granted. Coming from a family of 10 children growing up in segregated Memphis, Tennessee, she has made it her business to make education a fundamental human right available to all. She is renowned for her tireless community service and is recognized as a crusader for human rights.

“I am using these skills — working with the World Literacy Crusade — to make L. Ron Hubbard's learning technology available to as many people as possible in more than just the inner cities,” she explained. “If we arm our people with the tech, we will be able to gain the ground we seek. We will creatively develop and expand our various programs in the communities. We will indeed build on a willing audience that we will then train to accept and apply that technology and thus drastically improve the quality of life.

“It's the most rewarding thing I've ever done. The highlight of my life is to have been touched by the genius of L. Ron Hubbard,” she concluded. “Thank you for taking the dream — and finding the way to make it a reality.”

New York Firefighters Acknowledge Mr. Hubbard

At Celebrity Centre International FDNY veterans Izzy Miranda and Joe Higgins, who presented a symbolic firefighter's helmet to Mr. Hubbard on behalf of FDNY and other emergency vets taking part in the detoxification program.

Even New York Fire Department veterans have traveled cross country to present the results of programs initiated on their behalf by community-minded Scientologists and affiliated groups.

Israel Miranda and Joe Higgins were intimately involved in the rescue and recovery operations at Ground Zero. They traveled to Hollywood specifically to tell their story to the Celebrity Centre gathering — how their health, deteriorating since the collapse of the Twin Towers, had been completely restored by a detoxification program developed in the late 1970s by L. Ron Hubbard. They and more than 200 colleagues have personally benefited from Mr. Hubbard's discovery of methods that dislodge “toxic residues” from the body's fatty tissues.

Determined to bring this technology to those now suffering from Ground Zero's aftermath, it was producer/actor Tom Cruise who helped establish a detoxification facility just two blocks from Ground Zero in downtown Manhattan, making it possible for rescue personnel and other survivors to avail themselves of this program.

Miranda, health and safety coordinator for the FDNY's Uniformed Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics, represents an emergency medical organization that answers more than 1.2 million calls every year. About his personal experience with the program, he said, “Shortly after I heard about the Hubbard detox program, I knew it was a no-brainer for New York City.” He explained that, after learning of the potential results from the program, he put a colleague on it — a paramedic who had been in excellent health up until September 11, 2001.

“After 9/11, his health took a dive and he ended up on several drugs, he couldn't breathe, his life was falling apart, he was facing forced retirement,” Miranda said. “Within days of going through the Hubbard detoxification program he was off all medications. Prior to the program he had missed 79 days of work since 9/11.”

It has now been over a year since he went through the program, says Miranda, "and he has missed zero days; he's on zero medications."

Accompanying him to LA was Joe Higgins, one of the most highly regarded FDNY members, a trainer of more than 4,000 firefighters and a man who has fought more than 1,000 fires.

“We just started delivering this program to our 150th rescue worker in N-Y-C,” Higgins said. “We only have 49,850 to go — and we are going to do it, because I am obligated to make sure that everybody that wants to do this program has the opportunity to do it.

“Why?” he asked. “Because I feel good. And so should they!”

Miranda and Higgins presented an honorary FDNY fire helmet, its inscription reading, “To our brother, L. Ron Hubbard, from your brothers at the New York City Fire Department: We honor you with this helmet, a symbol of our motto, to protect life and property,' which the legacy of your technology embodies.”

Community Activism Nurtured

A number of celebrity Scientologists voice their personal thanks to Celebrity Centre and Scientology — not only for helping them, but also for giving them the ability to truly help others.

Says E! News Daily anchorwoman, Gina St. John, “You come to Celebrity Centre and you find out that not only can you be an excellent artist, you can be of value to your community, you can do good things for yourself and others constantly, create your own universe the way you want and when you portray a character on film or on television, you can portray the kind of character you can respect and admire and other people can see it too.”

Adds actor Jeff Pomerantz, “Celebrity Centre

International is revitalizing the artists who not only realize their own dreams, but reach out with Mr. Hubbard's technology to create a better world where man is free to rise to greater heights.”

And actress Jennifer Aspen speaks of the spirit of help she has been able to tap as a Scientologist. “Scientology has changed my entire life,” she said. “I am happy, I can communicate, I can be an artist; I don't have to be all confused in the pains of life; I can actually go out there and help other people and I am so happy, and so grateful for that.”

Celebrity Centre International this year celebrates its 35th anniversary, as well as the 75th anniversary of the historic Hollywood setting for the Hollywood church: The Manor Hotel for Scientologists.

Twelve Celebrity Centre churches exist in the world's cultural centers, including New York, Paris, Vienna, London and Nashville. All Celebrity Centres, like all churches of Scientology, are open to the public.

All Celebrity Centres work with artists and community leaders whose broad visions for social enhancement are essential for the positive progression of society. Their purpose derives from L. Ron Hubbard's 1951 statement: “A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists.”